Cambodia | Schoolies Adventure

14 Night Volunteer Adventure | From $1295 USD

Overview

Embark on a Schoolies Adventure like no other. Travel to a distant land. Explore Ancient Civilisations. Teach English at an underpriviliged Childrens Centre. Make a real difference. Don’t follow the heard, do Schoolies different!

This Schoolies Adventure requires participants to put their energy & enthusiasm into providing a helping hand at one of Siem Reap’s most critical Children’s Centre’s. Many of these children have not received the love or affection that comes with having a mother & father and your kind words, helping hand and fun personality will go a long way towards brightening the lives of each & every child.

Friday & Saturday nights our Volunteer Coordinators will take you out to the best nightlife in town as they guide you around the infamously wild Pub Street. On the weekend volunteers go on an expedition to Tonle Sap Floating Village & the Angkor Archaeological Park including a visit to the World Heritage Listed Angkor Wat Temple. Marvel at the artistic ability of the performers at Phare Circus, witness the grace of traditional Cambodian Apsara dancing after stuffing yourself on a delicious buffet dinner, and be mystified with a visit to Cambodia’s most sacred mountain & stunning waterfall.

As a volunteer with MyGapYear you will experience a Schoolies Adventure like no other. You will experience traditional Cambodian life and participate in daily activities, such as cooking in an outdoor kitchen, playing with the children, teaching the children, assisting in the vegetable garden, attending to minor injuries and providing lots of love.

Volunteering with these children is challenging, sometimes frustrating work and at the end of the day you are often left exhausted. But the difference you make in the lives of these children is truly awe-inspiring.

The Project

A hardy nation, the local Khmer’s have suffered through years of bloodshed, poverty & political instability at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and other countries. Unfortunately many Cambodians are still suffering today and are among the poorest nations in the world. Approximately 41% of the population still doesn’t have access to clean, safe water, and miraculously half of the population of Cambodia are forced to survive on less than $1 USD per day.

Harsh times have resulted in separation of the family unit by either death or abandonment as a result of severe poverty. The Children’s Centre provides around the clock care for children who are unable to be cared for by their families. Some of the parents of the children are still alive, however they have become ‘orphans’ because of a range of factors, including poverty & abandonment.

Volunteers are needed to help at these centres on a basic level; for example you may be feeding the children or teaching them personal hygiene. On a social level interaction, friendship and support are some of the key things you can offer when on this placement. Whether you are helping children with educational activities or teaching them a new game, the time and attention you give to them is invaluable

Children’s Centre Disclaimer

We thoroughly evaluate every project we are involved in, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of children. We only work with legitimate, sustainable & safe centres personally inspected by the MyGapYear founder. You can rest assured that the Children’s Centre we work with is a legitimate charity & always has the best interest of children in mind. In fact, the centre we work with was recently featured by the Huffington Post as one of “7 Charities Still Doing Great Work in Cambodia”.

Daily breakfast & lunch at the children’s centre are included. All other meals are at your own expense. All members of the group eat together for every meal. Those with special dietary requirements can be catered for.

Transport

The most popular & exciting way to travel in Cambodia is via TukTuk. TukTuk’s in Cambodia are very safe, reliable & add to the sense of Adventure during the trip. MyGapYear uses only personally selected TukTuk drivers who have a proven history of safe driving on the road.

Orientation & Support

MyGapYear is on the ground in Cambodia. A MyGapYear Volunteer Coordinator will accompany you at all times during your placement. Our Volunteer Coordinators are at the centre with you to offer support and guidance where needed, as well as to help manage the children. They assist with caring for the children, administration and managing the day-to-day activities of the centre. They are available to answer questions and ensure that you settle into the centre and way of life. In most cases a MyGapYear staff member will be with you or a quick call away 24/7.

Donation

Included in the total price is a $100 USD donation that goes directly to the Children’s Centre. . The group will personally hand over the money to the centre during the trip & will receive receipts for all monies donated whilst in Cambodia. Please enquire for more information on how the donation works.

Child Protection

MyGapYear follows the principles and guidelines of ‘ChildSafe International’ in protecting children from all forms of abuse and preventing child exploitation and trafficking. As part of our mission to empower and protect youth; we require all volunteers who are 18 years of age or over and who plan to work with children; provide a Criminal History printout. This printout is available from your local Police Station and may take up to 4 weeks.

About Siem Reap

Siem Reap is Cambodia’s fastest growing city and is a popular tourist destination. Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia. It is characterised by colonial and Chinese style architecture in the town centre and around the Old Market. Angkor Wat, the famous Hindu temple complex, is situated a short distance from Siem Reap.

Due to the high level of tourism in the area, Siem Reap is well equipped with all modern conveniences. It is considered safe with little crime. Siem Reap has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. Siem Reap houses a large expatriate community but, despite international influences, the city and its people have conserved much of the town’s image, culture and traditions.

Highlights

EXPLORE the magnificent structures of Angkor Wat, a magnificent architectural relic of the ancient Khmer Empire.

FILL our days with games, singing, dancing & teaching English as you change the lives of these children forever.

DISCOVER the delights, attractions & intricacies that bring millions of people every year to visit the city of Siem Reap.

VOLUNTEER at a local children’s centre to enrich the lives of marginalized children and improve their access to education.

Adventure Details

LENGTH: 2+ Weeks

START DATES: 21/11/16 | 20/11/17

PRICE: $1295 USD

MEALS: Some included

FLIGHTS: Not included

Included

Fully chaperoned 14 night/15 day Adventure

2 Fully Qualified English Adventure Leaders

Airport meet and greet plus transfers

1 Cambodian Adventure Leader & Translator

All accommodation

24/7 in-country support

Unlimited pre-departure support

All transport

Breakfast daily

Airport meet & greet plus transfers

Lunch provided at the Children’s Centre

Angkor Wat Archaeological Park Ticket & Tour

Kampong Phluk Floating Village Boat Tour

Apsara Buffet Dinner & Dance

PHARE Cambodian Circus Experience

Kulen Mountain

‘60 Road’ Experience

MyGapYear Program Orientation

MyGapYear Placement T-Shirt (Additional Shirts Available)

Personally selected & MyGapYear trained Tuk Tuk Drivers.

Legitimate, Sustainable & Safe Volunteer Program personally founded and managed by the Founder of MyGapYear.